Gravity control apparatus



Dec. 2, 1958 w. P. PERRY GRAVITY CONTROL APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 14, 1954 IN V EN TOR.

IVZZZard .2 Perry w. P. PERRY 2,862,651

Dec. 2, 1958 GRAVITY CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Oct. 14, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Willard E Perry IN VEN TOR.

United StateStP.atetlt fiice 2,862,651 Paten ed l' 2,862,651 RAV FY CONTRO Willard P. 'Perry, near Titusville, J. pplicationt-Q qher;1 ,1 54, S rial N 4 54 a.

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is; i ent snaer ate tse e a lrt ig -t-izvelecityz: W ..I r e su ec' net iqrs a d t tthe'tdi tribu n drapplisati nic ai n essur t msuch b ower o gens tqtsr and. ew eth m n r l o e t o t e-p es nt; e is s t P ovid -means ni m na outw t ana r P e ur ne ate: 1i .n t a mosp eric. p ss re {2 011 th tqa u fa e of a uq ie t be i eda dtprer ledt a c t n-rt-e emrl a :t e t p-1 su f e of t e oficf a otcny isle .Q 0' 1 r;-.: n! eyan e A u he o je of :S;-. YI QI s o -p e m a in .c mhin ion, W t-live s w-p e u g erat ng .-Y i Il;\.i2 nmrellt ta onv yance ina f a d; or a, rea wa d.-. direction Z1nd als o mqving theconveyance laterallygin he d ctipu :7 fo p nQs s-h steer n t Q Y?Y l 9?: a th sl s eds u s c a I Another object of ee ven qnistorproyide-rneausfi in r mbinat ontw t ia a p s u nera n s yst m re n av uum exerted i he i i fl w d ts as s-t e .1; mszsrhe iqrressu e a n t t ou ls rtasce. o he. t. W t 2r-.t; Ie-: t9 m re co ve ance-s elte 15 a 1 2. -at or o her ie tt w chlt es uc @11 tached, in one horizontal direction; and further -toproyide V H means whereby 3 the directipn of 3 force of the atrngs; p er s; tc ep t a csrheris- Pre su c ntberey rscdn min ideth c n e anc -a.

A furth robi c -o h P esent i ve io s t p cyi efi a conveyance of special eonstruction in which thepower and air pressure generating units are located at the center of the co1 1 veyance to facilitate-lifting of theconveyance in asubstantially level COIAdition,

In one embodiment of my invention, l provide at high 3 velocity blower having aplurality of verticaldisks spaced equidistantlyiapart by connecting blades to forrn a r0 tatableunit arranged in a cylindrical volute casing in which air is drawnin frorn one -end of the casingthrough a three-way duct which extends vertically f rom the blower ou h. f 4 .a c nv e in w ch-,t e-h qw and the power units; are located. I The-intake of air i s nt c tle s ans of a gate lve .c osirs itheri t. o horizontal b che t d c l ay n t elo he or, branch p to the tmqsph te.

In the embodiment of my invention referred to above the v ut as is r v desiwit .v ca 'tparti om w i h extend upwardly intoa horizontal manifold therebyd' n zt yo t c ambersint s l li rn nnels cor pvnd ,i c ,num ;q .,d k vt el. ata ewe u te n. a tle .r, pe 9.. to we e of th m pifq1d a m ih srir lr i t c conduits 1 are connected to conduct the pressure gen- 7 erated by the blower to jet 1 nozzles, some of gwhich are T directed across ;the roof of the;;vehi cle o r other conve ance nd o e s o heta q phe e;a i pentih -r lsle for steering and lifting functions. The roof of the-co veyance may be either flator curved as conditions ma require. I 70 Other objects and advantages of my invention will be pp en tfr m th a fo low pe atio s a e. eae to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof,

in'which Fig. :1 is a schematic perspective viewt-of one form of blower unit and a pair of Special jet nozzles which. areadapted to be-positioned. at either end; of theroof of a vehicle in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2' is a diagrammatic view of a vehicle,1in side-elevation,v showing my improved" blowerasystem-sapplied thereto; v

Fig. 3 is adiagrammatic-view of theevehicle and blower. a; system shownin plan; 1'

Fig-..-4 is a sectional view of one=end of theblower unit,'in-side elevation, the diskstand blades-being shown: in elevation;

Fig: 5 is a sectional view-tof theblower unit,iinplan; with thedisks and bladesgshown in e1evation;-

Fig; 6 is a toptplan view of -the blower unit; showing-=-.

Fig.7 is a section taken on the-line 7--'-7 of Fig.--5;-and---- Fig. 8 is adetail'sectional view of one'of the jet nozzles Referring tothe drawings in which likenumerals designatellikeiparts in-the several views, 10 is a cylindricalcasing having a volute chamber 12 extending along one side-of its entire length and having'therein a plurality Of": horizontally spaced disks 14. Between alternate pairs of theidisks are radially arranged blades 16-extendingfrom a central shaftls to the outer peripheraledgesoi the disks; 14: l. Alternating between thepairs of disks mentionedare-shorter radial blades Zllwhichextend only;

from the outer peripheral edges of the disks 1-4;to a centralopening 22 formed in each of the disks.-- The shaftl8 is mounted in bearings'24 at each endofthecasing-10,; which bearings are in turn-supported by --the-base 26*ong which 5the' casing 10 is 'mounted.--- Pulleysor sprocket f wheels .28; which may be of-varying diametersfare mounted on one end of the-shaft 18 and connected by a belt or chain-30 to a pulley or sprocket-wheel 320i! the power take ofl of a motor 34. I

The volute chamber 12 extending upwardly alongthe. I

entire'length of the casing-10 and-terminates in a horizontally arranged manifold 36. Partitions 3$ are fixedly" mounted in the -volute chamber 4il below;-thef manifold to divide the chamber into a plurality of ducts '42, which communicate with the'manifold andthe spacesxbetween the disks' l4; The outlet end-of the manifoldis coupled? j to anoutlet connection 44, which maybe reducedat its;

connected an air pressure distribution pipe 48.

At the-opposite end of the casing 10 is an air infiow or. suction duct which-is approximately equal in area to that-of'eachof the central disk openings 22; *"Inthe'em-Q bodiment of the invention illustrated thewall of theduct 50 extends vertically fromthe blower to a plane above the outer end and provided with-a coupling 46 to which is 1 roof slot a vehicle 54 (shown diagrammatically in Figs; T 2 and 3) and terminates at its upper end in two'horizontal' branch-ducts 56 and SSextendingin opposite directions longitudinally of the vehicle. dotted-in Fig.1) is pivotally mounted transverselyin the I duct SO betWeen-thebranch ducts 56; and 58in position iv for closing either of the branch ducts and leaving the other one open. ;The gate 60 is centrally mounted on a shaft 62 which extends outside thewall; of duct 50 and carries an arm 64-to which is connected at rodeo extendinginto the vehicle and providinga means of moving the gate {valve 1 to close either-of the bran-ch ducts. When one is closedthe inflow of air'will vbe-through the other one.- The suction of air .by the blower through thesduct SO cr'eates 1 a vacuum in the-inflow branch as well as the vertical porn tionof the duct. Therefore, the atmospheric pressure will exert a forceagainst-the back of the gate valve in pro- 7 portionto the area. of the gate, tending to--propel theh vehicle in the reverse direction from that of the flow of air qu h.;,t anqhsd ctt t e; i ns ty ;,o fi er; vacuum and consequent propelling force may be reduced A gate valve 60' ,(shown bylpartially opening the closed duct by means of the gate va ve.

As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, the number of short blades 20 in the blower unit may be increased, as desired, as, for example, in larger size units, or for any other reason. Four of the full length blades connected with shaft 18 are suificient to support the disks in operation.

The vertical air pressure distribution pipe 48 is connected to a T fitting 68 to which are connected horizontal pipes 70 and 72 extending to the front and rear, respec tively, of the vehicle 54. At the end of each pipe is a reducing fitting 74 to which are connected smaller branch pipes 76 and 78, at the outer ends of which are connected flat funnel shaped jet nozzles 80, having wide but very narrow air pressure outlets 82. These nozzles are hingedly attached by. hinges 84 to the end of the vehicle 54, preferably directed upwardly at an angle of approximately 15 degrees at the rear top surface of the roof 52. The roof may be provided with longitudinal wall members 86 on each side of thenozzle outlets, thereby forming air channelsalong the top of the roof ahead of the nozzle outlets. Each nozzle 80 is provided with a support 88 having a foot portion 90 for attachment to the vehicle adjustably connected at 92 and through which the angle .of the nozzle can be adjusted from inside the vehicle-by means of a rod 94 which extends into the vehicle. A valve 96 is connected to each of the pipes 76 and 78 to control the low of .11 to the nozzles 80 l he van irea each provided with a stem 98 extending into the vehicle. The pipes 76 and 78 may be provided with flexible hose sections 75 and 77 to permit angular adjustment of the jet nozzles.

Connected into the manifold 36 are pipes 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, and 114. Pipes 102 and 110 conduct air pressure to laterally directed jet nozzles 118 at the front and rear of one side of the conveyance 54, and pipes 106 and 114 supply air pressure to lateral jet nozzles 120 on the opposite side of the vehicle. Pipes 104 and 112 conduct air pressure to front and rear jet nozzles 122, and pipes 100 and 108 conduct air pressure to central lateral jet nozzles 124. Each of the pipes mentioned is provided with a valve designated by the common numeral 126, each of such valves being operable fro-m inside the vehicle or other conveyance. A pair of vertical pipes 128 and 139 are connected to pipe 70 and conduct air pressure to vertically aligned, oppositely directed jet nozzles 132 and 134, the latter being directed downwardly. Each of the pipes 132 and 134 is provided with a control valve 136 operable from within the vehicle. It should be understood that all the control valves hereinbefore referred to have been illustrated schematically, and that in actual practice they will all be connected to a suitable operating unit whereby each valve can be easily operated conveniently from Within a conveyance by a single person from one position.

As will be seen from the foregoing description, the air pressure generator in the embodiment of the invention illustrated essentially includes a plurality of fans arranged in parallel relation in a volute casing on a single shaft propelled by a motor. The casing has an air inlet duct at one end and a manifold communicating with the volute chamber. The manifold has an air pressure outlet at the end opposite the air inlet duct and a number of lateral air pressure outlets, the purposes of which will be hereinafter explained. Each fan consists of a pair of disks 14, each of which is provided with a central opening 22 and a plurality of spaced radially arranged blades 16 and 20,

that by the time the inflow gets past four of the fans its volume of outflow. By reduction of the area of the outflow by one-half, for example, a proportionate suction or vacuum will be created in the duct 50. As previously mentioned, this will cause the atmospheric pressure to exert force against the back of the gate valve 60 in proportion to the area of the gate, tending to move a vehicle or any other object to which the duct is attached.

As already explained, all of the air conducting pipes communicating at one end with the manifold 36 are controlled by individual valves, so that air pressure may be discharged at willthrough any one or any number of the jet nozzles connected to the outlet ends of these pipes. Therefore, when, for example, it is desired to direct air pressure through funnel-shaped jet nozzles 80 at either end of the vehicle 54 against the top of the roof 52 the valves 96 at that end of the vehicle are opened to such extent as may be necessary to'expel suificient atmospheric pressure on the top of the roof to permit the atmospheric pressure underneath the vehicle to lift it from the ground, either completely or partially so that it will propel easily. The force of the air pressure along the roof of the vehicle, as well as the reactive force of the outflow of air through the jet nozzle will exert a reverse force tending to propel the vehicle in the reverse direction from that of the air outflow. Such force may be augmented if desired by manipulation of the gate 60 to cause atmospheric pressure against the gate to force the vehicle in the desired direction, irrespctive of whether the vehicle is lifted entirely off the ground.

When the vehicle 54 is lifted off the ground it may be steered by either of the lateral jet nozzles 118 (Fig. 3). Jet nozzles 122 may also be used in forcing the vehicle in either direction. Vertical jet nozzles 132 and 134 may be used for quickly moving the vehicle in either direction vertically.

The motor 34 and the blower unit are so arranged at the center of gravity of the vehicle as to keep the vehicle in relatively balanced condition, and it is contemplated that any loading of the vehicle will also be kept in balanced arrangement. The vehicle may be so constructed as to have the same general formation at each end, so that it can travel in either direction. The Vehicle or other conveyance may be of a type having wheels, or without wheels, as desired.

Obviously, various changes in construction and arrangement of the elements in my improved air pressure generating system and conveyance may be made Within the spirit and scope of my invention. For example, instead of having jet nozzles only at each end of the roof of a conveyance, as illustrated, I may provide a series of jet 'nozzles along a roof having a large area of surface.

Therefore, it should be understood that the construction shown and described is intended to be illustrative, only, and not limited to such specific construction.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, a fan unit comprising', in combination, a base, an elongated cylindrical casing mounted on said base, said casing curved laterally and upwardly from its bottom thereby forming an intercommunicating volute chamber and an upwardly projecting conduit extending along the entire length of said casing a manifold closed at one end and extending the entire length of said casing and conduit, said manifold being in open communication with said conduit, an upwa-rdly projecting air inlet duct open at its outer end and communicating at its lower end with' one end of said casing, a shaft extending centrally through said casing and journaled at its ends on said base, power. means for rotating said shaft, a plurality of disks fixedly mounted on said shaft, said disks being equidistantly spaced apart and of a diameter to fit closely within said casing, and having central openings of approximately the area of said air inlet duct, a plurality of partitions in said volute chamher, said partitions being in parallel alignment with and having curved inner edges closely fitting around the adjacent edges of said disks, a plurality of blades fixedly attached to said disks between respective adjacent pairs, the outer edges of said blades being substantially coincident with the outer peripheries of said disks; and an air pres sure conduit connected in communicating relation with the open end of said manifold.

2. A fan unit according to claim 1 in which the upwardly extending air inlet duct terminates in two horizontal, oppositely extending branch ducts, said branch ducts being provided with a pivotally mounted gate therebetween which in its central position will permit air from the blower to pass to the atmosphere through said duct and when said gate is in either of its closed or partially closed positions the open duct will be fully or partially exhausted of atmospheric pressure by the flow of compressed air from .the blower, thereby leaving the preponderance of atmospheric pressure against the face of the gate opposite that of the open duct.

3. A fan unit according to claim 1 in which the partitions have extensions projecting upwardly from the volute 6 chamber into the upwardly projecting conduit thereby dividing the volute chamber and conduit into separate ducts in communication with said manifold, said ducts being entirely closed from one another but in open communication with the spaces between said disks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 952,522 Hendryx Mar. 22, 1910 1,328,679 Leonard Jan. 20, 1920 1,553,201 Sutton et al. Sept. 8, 1925 1,770,593 Johnson July 15, 1930 1,845,136 Dieter Feb. 16, 1932 1,855,480 Koslowski Apr. 26, 1932 1,938,234 Voorhees Dec. 5, 1933 2,062,018 Wheeler Nov. 24, 1936 2,334,070 Conley Nov. 9, 1943 2,375,331 Taylor May 8, 1945 2,496,179 Schwarz Jan. 31, 1950 2,543,833 Clark Mar. 6, 1951 2,690,293 Muhlberg Sept. 28, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 946,663 France Dec. 27, 1948 

